Information links are predefined database queries, specifying the columns to be loaded into the internal data engine of Spotfire, and any filters needed to reduce the size of the data table prior to visualization.
Tip: A data connection is another option to add data from different data sources, which provides more flexibility than using information links. In addition to the possibility of loading data in-memory, data connections can also be configured to keep data external and let you make analyses in-database. See What is a Data Connection? for more information.
Information links are organized into different folders in the library. Which library folders are available to you is controlled by group privileges by the Spotfire administrator.
Information links are defined using Information Designer. On the menu bar, select Data > Information designer.
Predefined information links
can be opened from the Files and data
flyout and you can use search to locate the
information link. See Searching
the Library for more information about search expressions.
An information link is a structured request for data which can be sent to the database. These specifications include one or more columns, and may include one or more filters.
Stated in plain English, an information link could be: "Fetch the Name, Address and Phone_number for employees that pass the filter High_Income."
Information links can also be used to limit what data to open in an analysis in a number of different ways. See Loading Data Overview for a summary of the various methods.
See also: